a semi-independent rear suspension system designed to combat the twin evils of unsprung weight and poor ride quality in live axle systems. de Dion suspension is a weird bastardisation of live-axle solid-beam suspension and fully independent trailing-arm suspension. It's neither one, but at the same time it's both. Weird! With this system, the wheels are interconnected by a de Dion Tube, which is essentially a laterally-telescoping part of the suspension designed to allow the wheel track to vary during suspension movement. This is necessary because the wheels are always kept parallel to each other, and thus perpendicular to the road surface regardless of what the car body is doing. This setup means that when the wheels rebound, there is also no camber change which is great for traction, and that's the first advantage of a de Dion Tube. The second advantage is that it contributes to reduced unsprung weight in the vehicle because the transfer case / differential is attached to the chassis of the car rather than the suspension itself.
Naturally, the advantages are equalled by disadvantages, and in the case of de Dion systems, the disadvantages would seem to win out. First off, it needs two CV joints per axle instead of only one. That adds complexity and weight. Well one of the advantages of not having the differential as part of the suspension is a reduction in weight, so adding more weight back into the system to compensate for the design is a definite distadvantage. Second, the brakes are mounted inboard with the calipers attached to the transfer case, which means to change a brake disc, you need to dismantle the entire suspension system to get the driveshaft out. (Working on the brake calipers is no walk in the park either.) Finally, de Dion units can be used with a leaf-spring or coil-spring arrangement. With coil spring (as shown here) it needs extra lateral location links, such as a panhard rod, wishbones or trailing links. Again - more weight and complexity.
Hate to rain on anyone's parade, but if that De Dion tube is cold, and subjected to any heat source (like the engine), it's gonna sweat. Inside. Any plugs in the end will allow that water to cling to the inside, and rust. Airflow thru it is necessary to dry it. Plug at your own risk.
That doesn't make sense to me. If it's cold inside the tube and warm air laden with moisture hits the tube from the engine, any condensation that forms would be on the outside of the tube, not the inside. You can see this effect with a glass of ice water; the condensation droplets form on the outside of the glass.
In any case, the plugs have several large holes drilled in the bottom to drain any collected moisture, and the plugs are removable if needed.
That doesn't make sense to me. If it's cold inside the tube and warm air laden with moisture hits the tube from the engine, any condensation that forms would be on the outside of the tube, not the inside. You can see this effect with a glass of ice water; the condensation droplets form on the outside of the glass.
In any case, the plugs have several large holes drilled in the bottom to drain any collected moisture, and the plugs are removable if needed.
Trouble is, glass isn't steel. Glass doesn't rust. Steel sweats on both sides. I weld, so I know. Take a look around at rusted frame mount hitch tubes, or pickup truck tubular steps. They rust from the inside out. Water gets trapped inside and can't get out. I'm not aware of a process to powder coat the inside of such a tube, might be possible. Most likely painted at best.(Dipped) You want to plug your De Dion tube, be my guest. It's a free country. Mine will stay open.
Well, like I said, it was an experiment, and the tube looks well coated inside so I'm not worried. I can always remove them if moisture becomes an issue. It's easy enough to take them off and put them back on repeatedly.
no more need to worry, SmartBillet just released his end caps and he listened to everyone on the board except for the guy that wanted a lock on them to stash dope. I have a few pieces from SmartBillet and it's top notch right down to the packaging. http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/for...3835#post73835
Trouble is, glass isn't steel. Glass doesn't rust. Steel sweats on both sides. I weld, so I know. Take a look around at rusted frame mount hitch tubes, or pickup truck tubular steps. They rust from the inside out. Water gets trapped inside and can't get out. I'm not aware of a process to powder coat the inside of such a tube, might be possible. Most likely painted at best.(Dipped) You want to plug your De Dion tube, be my guest. It's a free country. Mine will stay open.
Parts like this are e-coated not externally painted or powder painted. That way the paint does get inside the tubes. Yes, a dipping if you will, but a very expensive process to set up and it uses many steps.
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